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Leominster High's Class of 1942 gather to mark 70th reunion

By Katina Caraganis, kcaraganis@sentinelandenterprise.com

Updated:
10/06/2012 07:10:54 AM EDT

LEOMINSTER -- Cecile Gladding regards her time at Leominster High School as the best time of her life. Not only did she meet some of her best friends that she still talks to today there, she also made Leominster her permanent home.

Gladding was one of nearly two dozen people who graduated from Leominster High School in 1942. The graduates celebrated their 70th class reunion on Friday.

The Class of 1942 gathered together Friday afternoon for a luncheon at Barber's Crossing in Sterling to not only reflect on their memories but to talk about their hopes for future generations that walk through the halls of Leominster High School.

Gladding said she's seen this area change drastically over the years, remembering when the high school was still on West Street, Route 2 hadn't been built yet, and there was a sense of security and safety that is long gone now, she lamented.

"I loved going to high school, and I loved Leominster. I still do," she said Friday. "The best four years of my life were spent going to that school. It was so much fun to go to school every day," she said.

Gladding, who grew up in the French Hill neighborhood, said she would walk to school with her friends.

"It was such a different way of life back then compared to today. We had nothing but it felt like we had everything we ever needed," she said.

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"In our neighborhoods, we never had to worry about safety or anything like that. Things were so different back then. A lot of things have changed."

Adolph Rocco, also a member of the class and a Fitchburg resident now, was tasked with organizing the entire event, and said he was pleased with the outpouring of support those in attendance gave to the event. He said it's always nice to be able to talk about a time when they were all younger.

"We had some good times and some bad times. I remember in that time, the junior class and the senior class would get into a fist fight every year, over one thing or the other. Some guys got hurt, but that was okay. That's the one thing that's always stood out in my mind," he said.

Charles Dewey Cole said one memory that always stands out for him was the day he was drafted into the Navy, shortly after graduation, and gave up a scholarship to Columbia.

"I never made it to Columbia," he said. He was discharged from the military in January 1946, and went to college and law school courtesy of the G.I. Bill, he said. He spent much of his career as a legal adviser for various companies, including many newspapers.

"It was a great high school. It just is. I loved every minute I was here," he said.

One of his greatest accomplishments since graduation, he said, was never being sick a day in his life.

"I exercise every day and I eat really well. I think it's the best thing for me," Cole, who lives in Ohio, said.

Of the graduating class, 105 of them are deceased, and 59 are still living and scattered throughout the United States.

Mayor Dean Mazzarella said he was honored to be invited to the luncheon.

"You all look great. You're just kids. You grew up during one of the most interesting times of this century," he said during Friday's luncheon. "When you were young, everybody had an obligation, everybody had a job to do. The country was the strongest it had been in a long time then."

Even though the members of the class grew up during rough times, including a major world war and the Great Depression, they were a part of a generation that is considered the best of the best.

"You living during a great time. You grew up in the best of the best with the greatest people, despite what was going on around you," he said.

Leominster High School Principal Tom Browne thanked the class of 1942 for their dedication to the city and the school, and said they're always welcome within the walls of LHS.

"We appreciate everything you have gone through and everything you've seen. You guys blazed the trail for what our kids can do today," he said.

A $100,000 anonymous donation was also made to the high school to be put towards scholarships.

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